Chapter Text
Kya’s grateful to be working in a greenhouse. After fully committing to returning to the city, and then realizing she’d have to get a job, she was worried she’d be cooped up in some stuffy building. But this greenhouse . . . the sunrays grace her skin throughout the day, greenery making the air feel fresh. It’s almost like she’s out in the world again. The scents flow throughout the greenhouse as she tends to the flowers. It’s a quaint little place. Tenzin actually secured the position for her. Air Temple Island had purchased flowers from them a couple times for community service events. They had been in need of a gardener, and Kya has become a perfect fit.
She’s trimming some overgrown patches, gloved hands working with the shears. She’s a master at work. No matter where she found herself around the world, Kya always made sure she had a garden of which to attend. It was a promise of a constant food supply and a pocket of where a bit of beauty could grow. Even now at Air Temple Island, she assists Tenzin with the temple’s community gardens. She uses what they grow to make meals for both her family and the needy of Republic City.
A bit of sweat beads at her forehead, and her arm swipes it away. The work’s nearly done. The miniature garden shears are slipped into her tool belt that fashionably cinches her brown apron at her waist. Kya’s about to begin the next step of the process before a ring chimes out from the front. A customer . She’s the only one on duty right now. “Coming!” Gloves are discarded as well as the floppy sun hat that’s been keeping her in the shade from the sun. She lays it on the wooden table where she keeps the seeds waiting to be planted.
Kya doesn’t look at the customer right away. Even though she had gloves on, she still glances down to wipe potentially dirty hands on her overalls. She’s careful to avoid the cotton white t-shirt she wears under it. Her eyes flit upwards, and the sight makes her stop dead in her tracks.
“Lin.” Kya didn’t exactly expect to see Lin ever come in here. She doesn’t scream plant person , even despite the tattooed vine that snakes up her arm. Nor does she expect to see Lin wearing this perfectly-put together outfit . . . business pants, a sleek shirt, and a trench coat all tying it together. But now that Kya thinks about it, she’s never seen Lin without her muscle tee. Is this what Beifong looks like outside of the parlor? Before she can make a comment, the artist wordlessly plops down a sketchbook on the front counter.
If Kya thought the first sketch was beautiful, this is a masterpiece. Watercolors sprawl over the paper, perfectly capturing the Northern Lights. It’s a shock that Lin’s never seen them, because it brings Kya back to the times she looked up at the sky with Katara. She can feel the freezing air whipping on her face as emeralds, aquamarines, pinks, and lilacs swirled in the night. And Lin’s somehow drawn it all. And it will go on her . Her body.
“Told you I’d give you the full piece. Sorry it took so long. Had a lot of clients booked, and I just got some free time. But you’re here for a while. Didn’t think you’d mind the wait.” It’s all said with a shrug, as if a masterpiece hasn’t found a place on this table. As if her work of art isn’t a big deal. Breath hitches in her throat, but she tries not to overreact or be too emotional. Kya’s pretty sure it will embarrass Lin in some way by showering her with the overwhelming praise she wants to give.
“Oh, I love it, Lin.” The greenhouse and plants are forgotten momentarily. The botanist is transfixed on the art — until the bell rings once more. It’s her boss, Song. She’s a kind woman who grew up in Ba Sing Se and relocated to start her shop from the ground up; at least, that’s what she’s told Kya. Song’s grey hair is tied neatly in a pin-up bun, and her green eyes fall upon the tattoo artists. Her normally casual, laid-back disposition that Kya knows so well changes in an instant. Lin turns around once she realizes someone’s entered, and the whole environment changes. Her arms cross as Song’s eyes narrow.
“Song.”
“Lin.” Kya feels caught in the middle of something as tension swells. She’s about to try and break the silence until Song does it for her.
“Kya. You can take the shift off early. I got the rest of the greenhouse covered.” And without another word, her boss disappears in the back. Kya’s about to ask what all of that was about until she catches Lin’s killer glare. It’s enough to make any curiosity disappear. Maybe she’ll bring it up later when the aggression has dissipated. And, it reminds Kya what she was originally going to ask her.
“So? What happened to the second half of our deal?” Kya’s arm falls to her hip, balance shifting. If she’s officially not working, there’s no need to look professional.
“Not sure what you’re talking about,” Lin says with a shoulder shrug. She’s had a long week.
“You said I’d need some help being shown around Republic City. Pretty sure you offered to be the one to do it.” The artist’s cheeks suddenly flush with color. Kya’s never seen the stoic Lin Beifong act like this before. It’s cute. And she’s decided to toy with her. How much more can she make Lin blush?
“Oh, I . . .”
“Or are you too tired to take me out, Beifong?” It looks like any words that Lin was going to reply with have died on her lips. The sight is so hilarious that Kya can’t help but chuckle.
And Lin, on the other hand, feels herself shriveling on the spot. Why is she choking up so much? In every situation, Lin has all her words planned out. She’s prepared no matter what. But now it’s like the artist can’t even think straight. She wants to scowl, feeling as if Kya is making fun of her, but the sweet chuckle dissuades her from doing it too harshly.
Kya can see the change in Lin, and her hand reaches out to comfortingly touch the other’s wrist across the counter as if to say, I’m not teasing you — I’m just having some fun.
“Song’s given me the rest of the day off. I know you’re always booked, but you did mention you have free time . . .” Lin just grunts in response. Though she was the first one to originally reach out, Lin’s not the best at actually instigating plans.
Kya’s good at reading people. She’s always found strength in sensing aura’s, and Lin’s is clearly off and stuck in the mud. It’s unmoving, hesitant. Kya sighs a bit at the thought. Does she have to do everything around here?
“What’s that place Bumi always told me about? Kwong’s ?” The artist chuckles in response. Finally, she’s coaxed something out of Lin to continue the conversation. The restaurant is something Lin is familiar with . . . very familiar with. It makes her feel back in control and she’s able to regain a sense of normalcy.
“Pretty swanky place Bumi’s chatting up. It takes a couple months to even get a table.” Kya feels her heart sink. Oh. She was looking forward to today — another distraction from her sick mother. Another day to catch up with an old connection of whom she’s discovered she’s missed dearly. A connection she wished she kept in contact with. But a smirk slides onto Lin’s face as if she knows something Kya doesn’t, leaning in a bit closer over the counter. The drawing has been forgotten, and Lin’s confidence has been restored. “Good thing I know the owner. Good enough to get us a table for tonight. Did a tiny tat for him pro bono one night. He still owes me a favor.”
“You sure you want to waste a favor on me?”
“I don’t mind at all.” The conversation has quickly become so enticing. Why did I never stop by the tattoo parlor, again? Why did I only make a quick stop at Air Temple Island and never make my way into the city?
“I’m not dressed for fancy.” Kya gestures down at the overalls and t-shirt which, despite ample care, still has soil stains on it. If this is a high-end place, Kya certainly isn’t prepared to enter it. “So, if this favor really is as big as you make it sound . . . can you make it for later?”
“Eight it is.” Kya has to conceal a gigantic smile. She tries desperately to play it cool.
“I told you I don’t know this city, Lin. I’m not even sure how to get there.”
“We can always meet back here so I can show you the way.” It’s only then that Kya breaks her front, which is rare. The excitement shines through her face, the cause of a sparkling glint in her eyes.
“You better show up in your best, Beifong.”
“I promised you a table. Pretty sure it’s you who should be showing up in your best.” They stare at each other for a moment. Did they always get along this well when they were kids?
“I’ve got other sketches to finish for tomorrow. See you later.”
“Bye, Lin.” And as the tattoo artist exits the flower shop, Kya can’t help but look forward to the coming dinner.